Richard Donat, the Canadian actor who brought life to beloved characters across television and film for more than five decades, has died at age 84.
Donat passed away on March 28 at South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, his family confirmed. He had battled illness over the final two years of his life, surrounded at the end by his longtime partner, Maggie Thomas, and their sons Owen and Morgan.
The veteran performer became a household name for viewers of the supernatural drama “Haven,” where he portrayed Vince Teagues, co-publisher of the local Haven Herald newspaper, from 2010 to 2015. The show, loosely based on Stephen King’s novella “The Colorado Kid,” filmed on the south shore of Nova Scotia—about a 45-minute drive from Donat’s home in Bridgewater.
“I have always lived here and then this show comes along and suddenly your life is changed,” Donat reflected about working on the hit series. “It is quite extraordinary really.”
Born Richard Francois Donat on June 1, 1941, in Kentville, Nova Scotia, he came from one of entertainment’s most distinguished acting dynasties. His uncle was Oscar-winning English actor Robert Donat, who starred in Alfred Hitchcock’s “The 39 Steps” and won the Academy Award for Best Actor for “Goodbye, Mr. Chips” in 1939, memorably playing opposite Greer Garson. His older brother Peter Donat achieved fame playing Fox Mulder’s father William in “The X-Files” and appeared in two films for Francis Ford Coppola.
Richard’s death comes seven years after Peter passed away in September 2018 at age 90 from diabetes-related complications. Their uncle Robert died in 1958 at just 53, with cerebral thrombosis certified as the primary cause of death, brought on by a brain tumor.
After graduating from the National Theatre School of Canada in 1967, Donat built a remarkable career spanning stage and screen. He moved to Toronto in the mid-1970s, where his starring turn as Cuirette—a macho biker living with a drag queen—in Michel Tremblay’s groundbreaking play “Hosanna” earned rave reviews. The two-hander premiered in English at Toronto’s Tarragon Theatre in May 1974 before transferring to Broadway’s Bijou Theatre that October, establishing Donat as a fearless and versatile performer.
Science fiction fans knew Donat as the voice of Deej Warrick, the father of Wicket, in the animated “Star Wars” series “Ewoks,” which ran for two seasons on ABC from 1985 to 1986. The role introduced him to a generation of young viewers who grew up with the beloved characters.
His television credits stretched across decades and genres. Donat appeared in “Little House on the Prairie,” “Trailer Park Boys,” and “Hemlock Grove.” He played Dr. Burnley in “Emily of New Moon” from 1998 to 2000 and Colonel Boyle in the sitcom “Blackfly” from 2001 to 2002, showcasing his range from drama to comedy. He also appeared in “Sullivan’s Crossing” as Roy Gunderson.
On the big screen, Donat earned a Genie Award nomination for “My American Cousin” in 1985. His film work included “Tomorrow Never Comes,” Kathryn Bigelow’s “The Weight of Water,” “The Event,” and Mira Nair’s “Amelia.” Each role demonstrated his commitment to his craft and his ability to disappear into diverse characters.
His theater accomplishments included winning the Dora Mavor Moore Award for his performances in Bertolt Brecht’s “In the Jungle of the Cities.” He later won a Merritt Award for Outstanding Performance for his role in Sam Shepard’s “Fool for Love” in 2007. As a director, he won the Mecca Award in 2004 for “The Drawer Boy.”
Donat also became a cherished voice on CBC Halifax radio during the Christmas season, where he regularly read Robert Louis Stevenson’s poem “Christmas at Sea,” making the tradition his own and bringing joy to listeners year after year.
Away from the cameras, Donat lived a rich life in Nova Scotia with his partner Maggie Thomas. The couple, who settled on Nova Scotia’s south shore in 1989, raised two sons, Owen and Morgan. His obituary described him as “a passionate gardener, a loving and supportive partner, a devoted father and an extremely proud grandfather.”
He leaves behind a legacy that spans generations of entertainment, from classic stage performances to iconic television roles. His work brought Stephen King characters to life, gave voice to “Star Wars” heroes, and touched audiences across countless productions.
Donat is survived by his partner Maggie Thomas, sons Owen and Morgan, and grandchildren Charlize, Nadia, Mira, and Taran. The family requests that donations be made to South Shore Regional Hospital in Bridgewater in his memory.